ASL Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A signer establishes “last Saturday” near the beginning, then describes several events without marking the past on every verb. What most likely explains this?
The time frame remains understood until the context changes.
ASL cannot discuss more than one past event at a time.
Each unmarked verb automatically refers to the present.
Past events are indicated only through fingerspelling.
2. Why can a word-for-word English sequence sound unnatural when converted directly into signs?
ASL does not allow signs to be combined into sentences.
ASL requires every English word to be fingerspelled first.
Only facial expressions determine ASL sentence structure.
ASL has grammatical patterns that differ from English.
3. After identifying a car, a signer uses a vehicle classifier and moves it along a winding path. What information does the classifier construction convey?
The exact spoken sound made by the engine
The English spelling of the vehicle’s model
Only whether the car belongs to the signer
The vehicle’s movement or location along the depicted path
4. Which eyebrow pattern commonly accompanies a direct information-seeking question such as “WHERE?” or “WHY?” in ASL?
Eyebrows are generally lowered or furrowed.
Eyebrows alternate rapidly between raised and neutral.
Eyebrows remain raised for the entire question.
Eyebrow position has no grammatical role.
5. Two signs have the same handshape, location, and palm orientation but differ in movement and meaning. What does this demonstrate?
Every ASL sign must include repeated movement.
Movement changes only the emotional tone of a sign.
Movement can distinguish one sign from another.
Word order alone determines a sign’s meaning.
6. A signer incorporates the handshape for THREE into a sign meaning WEEK to express “three weeks.” What process is illustrated?
Role shifting
Topic deletion
Fingerspelled loan formation
Numeral incorporation
7. You are introducing a person whose name has no established name sign. What is the clearest common starting strategy?
Invent a descriptive name sign immediately
Translate the literal meaning of the name
Fingerspell the person’s name
Use only the name’s first letter
8. In discussions of identity and community, what does capitalized “Deaf” commonly indicate?
A specific audiological threshold that applies identically everywhere
A cultural or community identity associated with Deaf people and sign language
A person who is unable to use any spoken language
A person who learned ASL before learning to read
9. What is the main purpose of ASL gloss, such as writing signs in uppercase English words?
To replace ASL with standard written English
To show that ASL and English have identical grammar
To provide a written notation for discussing or recording signs
To prescribe the only acceptable way to sign a sentence
10. A signer introduces Maria, points to a location on the right, and later points to that same location. What does the later point most likely indicate?
The physical place where the next event occurs
Maria, whose referent was assigned to that location
That the sentence has changed to past tense
The first letter of Maria’s name
11. A signer places Alex on the left, then produces a directional form of GIVE moving from the signer toward Alex’s location. What relationship does that movement most likely show?
Alex gives something to the signer.
The signer gives something to Alex.
The object belongs to someone outside the conversation.
Alex moves from left to right.
12. While recounting a conversation, a signer shifts body position and gaze when representing each participant. What technique is being used?
Role shift or constructed action/dialogue
Numeral incorporation
A yes-or-no question marker
Lexicalized fingerspelling
13. Which nonmanual pattern commonly helps mark a neutral yes-or-no question in ASL?
Raised eyebrows, often with a slight forward head position
Puffed cheeks throughout the sentence
Closed eyes with the head turned aside
Lowered eyebrows with a firm head shake
14. A learner watches only a signer’s hands and keeps missing facial grammar. Where should the learner generally focus their gaze?
On whichever hand moves most
On the signer’s face, while using peripheral vision for the hands
On the signer’s mouth alone
On the empty signing space beside the signer
15. An ASL user and a British Sign Language user both live in English-speaking countries. Which conclusion is most accurate?
They necessarily use the same sign language because both countries use English.
They use dialects of one universal sign language.
ASL and British Sign Language are distinct languages, so shared spoken-language surroundings do not guarantee mutual understanding.
They can rely on identical fingerspelling alphabets for full communication.
16. Which statement best describes American Sign Language?
It is primarily a fingerspelled form of written English.
It is English converted word for word into hand movements.
It is a universal sign system shared by Deaf people worldwide.
It is a natural visual language with its own grammar and vocabulary.